Top 11 Maui Lunch Spots

Aloha and Welcome to Pride of Maui’s Top 11 Lunch Spots on Maui article! When on vacation in Maui, there is an abundance of wonderful restaurants to choose from. With our valuable local knowledge, we have chosen to highlight the best places to eat lunch on Maui so you can avoid a hit or miss restaurant scenario. When adventuring through our island paradise landscape, you never know what you’ll find, or where you’ll find yourself when sightseeing.

Maui Lunch Spots

Our list provides a few spots on each corner of the island, so rest assured that your bellies will be more than happy no matter where you end up for lunch!

When on the beautiful Island of Maui, take advantage of everything! Maximize on all the amazing things to do in Hawaii, including the best places to eat on Maui.

Top 11 Maui Lunch Spots
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Paia Fish Market Paia & Kihei

Without a doubt, the Paia Fish Market is one of the best, yummiest, and most popular casual restaurants on Maui. Located in the heart of Paia Town, the ‘Fish Market’ holds down its prime real estate right on the corner of the Hana Highway and Baldwin Avenue. They also have a new second location in the Triangle in Central Kihei! This is the perfect spot for Lunch with your friends and family or just an easy order for two after a fun beach session.

Lunch is busy, so don’t be afraid of the line out the door; it’s a quick line, and says a lot about how much this restaurant is loved by locals and visitors alike. Anyway, you’ll need the time in line to figure out what you’re going to order because there are just so many delicious options on their menu!

Paia Fish Market has something for everyone, whether you are a seafood lover or not. The seafood is caught fresh, and the beef and chicken items are from local Maui farms. The casual atmosphere is tres cool, with a North Shore style, great music, and communal tables.

When at the Paia Fish Market, guests can choose from tempting seafood plates like the Cajun Fish Plate, the Fish Quesadilla, or the Seafood Pasta, or go for items ala carte. The Mahi Mahi Fish & Chips and the Caesar Salad are crazy good, and so are all the burgers: Fish, Beef, and Chicken. The French Fries at Fish Market is more than memorable with the perfect amount of crispiness and seasonings, and there’s no comparison to their fresh coleslaw tossed in their homemade tartar sauce. (If it doesn’t come with your meal, definitely order it on the side.)

To top it all off, order a cold Maui beer on draft, or a refreshing glass of Pinot Grigio to make your Lunch all the more enjoyable.

Must Try Menu Items:

  • Ono Burger with French Fries
  • Ahi Sashimi
  • Fish Tacos

Click here for the Paia Fish Market Menu!


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Dirty Monkey Lahaina

Whether you’re a Maui visitor or a resident, The Dirty Monkey is definitely a great spot to hit up for lunch in West Maui.

Peruse Front Street’s historical attractions, many art galleries and boutiques. Then, hit up The Dirty Monkey for lunch or a quick bite and a beer. Their menu is kind of pub style, but full of an array of healthy and fresh options. Here, you’ll find the best French fries, wings and jalapeño poppers, but you’ll also find the bomb fish tacos, burgers and salads.

Our favorite salad is the Shrimp & Avocado Salad; it’s a huge serving of local greens garnished with cherry tomatoes, avocado, pistachio chili-glazed shrimp and a creamy jalapeño lime dressing. The Slap Burger is classically impressive with a Wagyu beef patty (you can add an extra patty if you choose), butter leaf lettuce, caramelized bourbon onions, avocado, jack or American cheese and the usual fixings. Obviously fish tacos are always a popular menu item on Maui, but The Dirty Monkey has outdone themselves with theirs. First, you can choose blackened fish or shrimp, then you can get down to some serious flavor with their tomatillo salsa and pineapple-mango salsa garnish.

We love so many things about The Dirty Monkey, so don’t just stop there for lunch. Make it your go-to sports bar, happy hour hangout, attend their karaoke night, and definitely check them out for Maui nightlife. They offer a variety of entertainment throughout the week, and they probably have the best sound system you’ll find on the Valley Isle.

Must Try Items:

  • Shrimp & Avocado Salad
  • Slap Burger
  • Fish Tacos
  • Football Sunday Breakfasts (Aug-Dec only, served on game days until 11am)

Click here for The Dirty Monkey menu!


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Monkeypod Kitchen Wailea and Ka’anapali

Without a doubt, Monkeypod Kitchen in Wailea has one of the best Lunch menus in Hawaii. What makes their menu so unique is their twist on traditional and modern Lunch Classics with a fusion of Hawaii Regional Cuisine. We also love how they use local Maui vendors throughout their menu!

At Monkeypod, guests can choose from a tempting assortment of Lunch menu items. You may just find yourself ordering more than you need because every item is just so inviting! The Appetizer menu is great for starting off at this casual culinary haven. Definitely try the chicken wings, garlic truffle oil fries, and the poke tacos. Lunch brings gorgeous salad and sandwich options, and don’t sleep on the local style offerings like the Kalbi Chicken Banh Mi, Saimin and Dry Mein noodle dishes.

At Monkeypod, guests can enjoy one of the best casual meals in all of South Maui. In line with the perfection that Peter Merriman’s restaurants put out, all will love a chance to wine and dine for lunch at this top Maui eatery.

Besides offering a menu of locally infused Hawaii Regional Cuisine, you’ll see a full section of fusion food offerings that are a mix of Hawaii’s local food, California-style freshness and all the best locally sourced ingredients in Maui.

Monkeypod is also a trendy place to meet new people, enjoy a family birthday or celebration, or relax with a pau hana at their very impressive bar. If you’re headed to Monkeypod, make sure to order a side of the truffle fries, one of their yummy wood-fired pizza’s, and definitely don’t forget to try their homemade pies- they have some of the best desserts on the island!

Must Try Menu Items:

  • Wood-Fired Pizzas
  • Pete’s Classic Burger, with Maui beef, umami mushrooms, gruyere, arugula, and horseradish crema
  • Coconut Creme Pie

Wailea Menu
Ka’anapali Menu


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Fork & Salad Kihei & Kahului

Fork & Salad in Kihei is one of those kinds of restaurants that Maui just needed! It’s common to see ‘build your own’ salad bars and healthy lunch spots like this in California, but Fork & Salad is actually a new kind of a restaurant trend for Maui. Whether you’re a meat eater, vegetarian, Paleo or vegan, you’ll love this spot. The best things about Fork & Salad in Kihei are that they provide healthy, organic, delicious and reasonably priced meals. And, they do it lightning fast!

Upon walking into Fork & Salad, you’ll immediately be greeted with positive aloha vibes, calming tunes and fresh scents of healthy home cooking and fresh Maui produce. It’s a chef-inspired locally owned company, so you’re guaranteed top-notch health food concoctions and the best Maui grown foods available.

When eating at Fork and Salad in Kihei, you can feel good knowing that you’re feeding your body nutritious goodness and supporting local Maui farmers at the same time. It’s a win-win.

The salad menu at Fork & Salad offers Signature Salads like a Caesar or a Greek, Chef Inspired Salads like the yummy Roasted Kabocha Squash and Strawberry Salad and Health Inspired Salads like their Super Salad (gluten-free and dairy free). We also love that they have a ‘Build-Your-Own’ salad bar; that’s an awesome perk for all of us that already have an idea of what kind of salad we want to eat. The salad ingredient offerings they have are amazing- full of local Maui produce and delicious additions like watermelon radishes, green papaya, fresh cilantro, Maui goat cheese and more.

Fork & Salad isn’t just a place for salads! They also make amazing sandwiches like the Lemon and Thyme Chicken Sandwich, Pastrami-Seasoned Seared Ahi Sandwich and other delectable options. In addition, Fork & Salad has a kids menu, cold-pressed coffee, Big Wave Organic Kombucha on tap and lots of edible surprises that will bring a smile to your face. Don’t forget to check them out on your next vacation in Maui.

Must Try Menu Items:

  • Build Your Own Salad
  • Lemon and Thyme Chicken Sandwich
  • Big Wave Organic Kombucha

Click here for the Fork & Salad menu!


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Milagros Paia

Enjoy all the best that Maui’s North Shore beaches offer, and take a break from the sun to hit up Milagros Food Company for Lunch in funky Paia Town. Milagros is an awesome locally owned Maui restaurant located on the corner of Hana Highway and Baldwin Avenue, a perfect spot for people watching from your patio table.

When at Milagros, know that all the seafood is caught island-fresh daily, and local, organically (GMO Free) grown ingredients are used wherever possible. Here, you’ll find a menu that has a little something for everyone, with tacos, nachos, burritos, organic salads, homemade guacamole and chips, burgers, fresh fish sandwiches, and more.

This spot is always bustling with positive vibes, yummy southwestern-Maui-style dishes, and a super accommodating and friendly staff. Frequented by locals and visitors, this spot is always a good time, one that you may find yourself going back to for years to come. Milagros also has the largest Tequila selection on Maui, and are well known for many signature Margaritas, and Tropical Classics. This restaurant is also one of our top picks for the Best Maui Happy Hour Spots!

Must Try Menu Items:

  • Ahi Taquitos
  • Shrimp & Carne Asada Fajitas
  • Fire-Grilled Burgers (try the El Diablo!)

Click here for the Milagros Food Company menu!


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Mama’s Fish House Ku’au

Mama’s Fish House is located oceanfront in Ku’au, set right on the North Shore of Maui. Perched between Paia Town and Ho’okipa Beach Park, this Maui Lunch spot is not only internationally renowned for their gourmet menu, but also for having one of the most beautiful views on Maui. Sunset dinner reservations can be close to impossible to get, so why not go for Lunch? The menu is just as delicious, plus you’ll have the glorious sunlight that allows you to check the surf, while you fully enjoy the interior decor of this popular Hawaii restaurant.

At Mama’s, guests will surely enjoy the rotating, Polynesian/Pacific Rim infused menu. All of their seafood offerings are caught fresh by local fishermen on a daily basis; island grown, sustainable ingredients are used throughout each dish, making each experience at Mama’s truly unique. Only the best ingredients are used at Mama’s Fish House, and the service is always impeccable.

If you haven’t yet eaten at Mama’s, you should know that it’s not just an ordinary fine dining experience. This restaurant provides a full on culinary tour de force, each presentation as beautiful and delectable as the next. Making reservations at Mama’s Fish House is a must do Maui activity. Eating at Mama’s should be on your vacation list like a Maui Whale Watching Tour or an adventurous Snorkel Trip in Maui. A meal at Mama’s is an unforgettable experience; a culinary gift that you will most definitely treasure for years to come.

Must Try Menu Items:

  • Tahitian Ceviche, with fresh lime and coconut
  • Mahi Mahi, stuffed with lobster and crab, baked in a macadamia nut crust
  • Polynesian Black Pearl, a Lilikoi chocolate mousse in a delectable pastry shell

Click here for the Mama’s Fish House menu.


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Maui Kombucha Haiku

Maui Kombucha is the absolute best! Tucked away in Haiku, you can find the best booch in the world at Maui Kombucha. Located in the back of the Aloha Aina Center, you will be so happy when you find this place! At Maui Kombucha, guests can sample Kombucha varieties on draft before deciding which Kombucha is going to be the highlight of their day. (FYI, you’ll probably want more than one…) Besides delicious, healing Kombucha varieties, this is an awesome place for lunch on Maui.

The menu at Maui Kombucha is completely raw and vegan. Here, guests can choose from a wide variety of options, including soups, fusion bowls, spring rolls, yummy salads, raw pizzas, raw bagels, desserts, and so much more! The Menu, specials and Kombucha flavors are rotating, so you’ll never be bored with this place.

If you’re not yet a fan of Kombucha, Maui Kombucha will make you a Kombucha lover

For die hard non-recruits, try the Love Buzz Coffee, or the Sparkling Coconut Water; they are both fabulous. Another great thing about Maui Kombucha… you’ll find the most amazing collection of loyal, Maui Kombucha folks kickin’ back here daily! This spot boasts positive vibes, big huge smiles, warm hugs, healthy food, and the most amazing Kombucha on earth. Enjoy!

Must Try Menu Items:

  • Coconut Ceviche
  • Vegan Nachos
  • Kombucha!

Click here for the Maui Kombucha menu!


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Frida's Mexican Beach House Lahaina

Located oceanfront in Lahaina, Frida’s is an awesome restaurant for lunch in Maui. Perched alongside Mala Wharf in Lahaina, this spot delivers authentic and tasty nuevo Latino dishes in a relaxing atmosphere. Frida’s is owned and operated by Mark Ellman, a well known Maui restauranteur.

Upon entering Frida’s, all guests will most definitely be aesthetically uplifted with the authentic Mexican furnishings, decor, and art. With a fabulous and well-thought-out menu and a design influenced by the art and historical relevance of Frida Kahlo, this Maui lunch spot has it all.

At Frida’s, restaurant patrons can count on tasting the best flavors of coastal Mexico fused with the fresh and high-quality ingredients expected when dining at a restaurant on Maui. The entire menu is enticing and tempting; there is no lack of delicious menu choices here!

Popular menu items include crudos like the Mezcal Oyster Shooters with tomato, cucumber and lime, Ahi Aguachile, and a yummy Ceviche Tostada with Avocado. Legitimate cross-the-border dishes include the Fresh Local Fish Zarandeado, Huevos Rancheros, Grilled Spanish Octopus, Chile Relleno, and the savor-full Rib Eye Mojo De Ajo. They also have a kids menu!

One of the most pleasing aspects of the Frida’s Mexican Beach House menu is the garden-fresh herbs and bona fide Latin food preparations. Here, you will love relishing the bright flavors of raw cilantro, lime, chipotle, Cotija cheese, jalapeño, and tomatillos throughout menu selections.

Frida’s is an excellent choice for lunch for couples, families with kids, business lunches, and those looking to share a delicious meal in a beautiful setting. They are also a great choice for cocktails with a view, and dinner on Maui.

Must Try Menu Items:

  • Short Rib Enchilada
  • Huevos Rancheros
  • Grilled Spanish Octopus

Frida’s Menu


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Thai Food By Pranee Hana

When in Hana, do as the locals do! Whether you’ve visited Hana many times, or are gearing up for your first Hana adventure, make sure to check out the Thai Food By Pranee restaurant. Here, you’ll find the most authentic Thai food throughout all the Hawaiian Islands. Located in a hale (house) under a thatched roof, Pranees is a casual, inviting Maui gem of a restaurant.

Pranees doesn’t have a website, but the online reviews alone are astounding! The menu is rotating, and full of locally grown produce, fresh coconut milk, Maui grown meats, and seafood. Here, all guests will surely love the curries, fried rice dishes, Pad Thai’s and specials. There’s nothing like Thai home cooking, and here you’ll find the best and freshest offerings!

Thai Food By Pranee is located near the Travaasa Hana bungalows. If you’re feeling lost finding the location, just ask a local, or follow the scent of Thai Basil, Galanga, fresh mint and peanut sauce in the air.

Must Try Menu Items:

  • Curries
  • Deep-Fried Whole Fish Specials
  • Thai Spring Rolls

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Coconut’s Fish Cafe Kihei

Coconut’s Fish Cafe is one of the most popularly featured lunch restaurants in Maui. They’ve received numerous accolades on websites live TripAdvisor and Yelp, and have been visited on famous media outlets like Travel & Leisure and CNN. Travel & Leisure seven said that Coconut’s Fish Cafe was one of the top places to eat in all of the U.S. Now, that is huge! Their menu is creative and casual.

There’s an abundance of tempting seafood choices, and they are all reasonably priced for the value that they serve up here. Some of the most popular items to order at Coconut’s in Kihei is the coconut shrimp, fish burgers, and most definitely any of their fish tacos. Coconut’s menu offers a unique opportunity to taste Maui’s local fish varieties; Opakapaka (Crimson Snapper), Ahi (Yellowfin Tuna), Mahi Mahi (Dolphin Fish), and Ono (Wahoo). All guests will love this family-friendly Kihei restaurant with sweet aloha vibes, surfboard tables, awesome music and the best some of the best food selections in Maui!

Must Try Menu Items:

  • Local Style Grilled Ono Plate (your choice of seasonings)
  • Taco Mountain
  • Seared Ahi Salad

Click here for the Coconut Fish Cafe menu!


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Mala Ocean Tavern Lahaina

Mala Ocean Tavern is one of West Maui’s most popular restaurants for lunch, brunch and dinner. Mala has always been regarded as a go-to dining spot in West Maui, and it’s recently been acquired by the Down the Hatch restaurant group here on Maui. They’ve updated the menu, kept the best items from the restaurant history, and otherwise updated the menu offerings to be fresh, inspiring, and oh so tasty.

This laid back, popular West Maui restaurant offers guests tasty plates made with organic and locally sourced ingredients wherever possible. Mala is a great place to enjoy a meal with family and friends in Maui. The location is sublime, the ocean views are calming, and it’s an ideal place to relax while enjoying a Mai Tai or a few beers with a view. See turtles on the coastline on any day you visit, and catch a glimpse of a Humpback Whale in the distance during the Winter months. If you’re there during sunset, you’ll most definitely enjoy a magical Maui sunset like no other.

The menu at Mala is truly unique with a fresh fusion of Classic American, Mediterranean, and Pacific Rim flavors. Our favorite menu selections include the Hood Canal Oyster Shooters, Seared Ahi Bruschetta, Roasted Beet & Surfing Goat Cheese Salad, Flatbreads, the Whole Wok Fried Hawaiian Fresh Fish entree, Steamed Manila Clams, Braised Pork Shank, and the fabulous Mala Cheeseburger. Something to note is that Mala also has a pretty amazing vegetarian and vegan menu. This place is definitely not to be missed.

Must Try Menu Items:

  • Seared Ahi Bruschetta
  • Whole Wok Fried Hawaiian Fresh Fish
  • Mala Cheeseburger

Click here for the Mala Ocean Tavern menu!


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Mahalo Nui Loa for reading Pride of Maui’s Top 10 Places to eat lunch on Maui article. We hope that you get a chance to check out more than one of these incredible Maui restaurants!